As we all know, Wim Wenders is a master filmmaker, who has given us an amazing and eclectic career of films such as Alice in the Cities; Paris, Texas; Wings of Desire; Buena Vista Social Club; and Pina. These films are meditations on life, death, music, and humanity, in such a way that arguably very few directors have ever attempted. However, if there is one Wenders film that I’m excited for, it is his 1992 scifi road movie, Until the End of the World, which is honestly one that I’ve never seen or heard of until Criterion announced it for this month.
Buy Until the End of the World (The Criterion Collection) Blu-rayI have read the plot, and it seems very interesting: a restless woman (the late Solveig Dommartin) follows a mysterious stranger (William Hurt) from state to state, as he has in his possession a device that can cure blindness and make dreams come true. I’m always drawn to films about how technology makes or breaks us, and this is definitely right up my alley.
Courtesy of Criterion, the film will be presented in its original 287-minute director’s cut, and includes some new supplements, such as a new intro by Wenders; new conversation between Wenders and musician David Bryne; 2001 interview with Wenders; Up-Down Under Roma– 1993 interview with Wenders about his experiences in Australia; deleted scenes; trailer, and much more. I think that this release will definitely make many film lovers very happy this Christmas.
Other notable releases:
Old Joy (Criterion): Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist gem about two old friends reuniting for a life-changing camping trip in the Casade Mountains in Oregon.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Quentin Tarantino’s latest epic about Los Angeles in 1969, where Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCapirio), former star of a TV western series and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his longtime stuff double, as they navigate through a changing Hollywood, and meet a rising star…the beautiful, but ill-fated Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie).
The Fly Collection (Scream Factory): A new deluxe set with five chilling films about science gone terribly awry. Includes the original 1958 classic, Return of the Fly (1959), Curse of the Fly (1965), Cronenberg’s celebrated remake (1986), and it’s not-so celebrated 1989 sequel. Read Mat Brewster’s review.
IT: Chapter Two: The former members of the Losers’ Club reunite after 27 years to once again take on evil clown Pennywise.
The Cotton Club Encore: The newly restored cut of Francis Ford Coppola’s original 1984 portrait of the famed club in Harlem. Starring Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, and James Remar.
Blue Collar: Paul Schrader’s 1978 classic about auto workers Zeke, Jerry, and Smokey, who decide to rob their corrupt union office, which goes absolutely awry for everyone involved.
Inside Moves: Arthur Penn’s 1980 gem starring John Savage as a man who becomes crippled after a failed suicide attempt. His therapy comes in the form of Jerry the Bartender (David Morse), whom he trains and befriend, as he has been chosen to play basketball for the Golden State Warriors.
Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection (Kino Lorber), picked by Mat Brewster: Collection of five of Alfred Hitchcock’s earliest films including The Ring, The Farmer’s Wife, Champagne, The Maxman, and The Skin Game. Most of these have seen various releases on DVD before as they are all in the public domain, but their transfers have been dreadful. I’m crossing my fingers that Kino has managed to clean them up nicely.
